If you are planning a trip to Tokyo, eating ramen is probably at the top of your bucket list. But with thousands of ramen shops in the city, deciding where to go can be overwhelming. For over 15 years, I have traveled all across Tokyo, hunting down the best bowls, from rich dipping noodles and …
Kichi Kichi in Kyoto is famous for its omurice (omelet rice) and the theatrical cooking style of its charismatic chef, Motokichi Yukimura. After eating there myself, I can say the small, cozy restaurant may not win awards for its food, but it has earned its fame for the chef’s entertaining and skillful performance. In recent …
Maguro Koya is a small mom-and-pop shop serving affordable tuna dishes, tucked away down a side street near Kintetsu-Nara Station. Maguro, the Japanese word for tuna, is the specialty of the house and a delicacy in Japan. Over the years, this hidden gem has attracted both locals and tourists, who come for its delicious tuna …
It was my first night in Tokyo. After traveling for almost a day, I stopped by my hotel, dropped off my bag, and headed straight out for food before jet lag got me. I had one thing on my mind: ramen. Staying near Tokyo Station, I felt my best option would be to visit Ramen …
Chao Chao Sanjo Kiyamachi is a small and lively gyoza restaurant near Pontocho and the Kamo River in Kyoto. I have eaten here several times over the years, and it remains one of my favorite casual stops for dumplings, beers, and a fun atmosphere. My most recent meal was in November 2023. I arrived shortly …
If you are looking for a day trip from Nagoya, Inuyama in Aichi Prefecture is the perfect choice. Located about 30 minutes north by train, this compact, walkable city on the Kiso River packs a surprising amount of history and sights into a small, easily navigated area. The main reason I made the trip was …
Niimura, located in the Shinjuku district of Tokyo, Japan, is a restaurant specializing in tonkatsu, or Japanese fried pork cutlets. Before my visit, I had never heard of Niimura. I only noticed the restaurant thanks to a sign in front that displayed a Deep-Fried Pork Cutlet Set with rice and miso soup for 1800 yen. …
After traveling for 12 hours from California to Tokyo, I was exhausted, jet-lagged, and starving. It was midnight, and I figured I was stuck eating convenience store snacks. That is when I remembered Sushi Zanmai Higashi Shinjuku. This popular chain is famous across Japan for quality sushi at reasonable prices, but it was a total …
When my friend found out I was in Tokyo, he recommended I visit Kamo to Negi, a small shop near Ueno Station, famous for their duck ramen. Although I’ve had duck before and enjoyed countless bowls of ramen during my visits to Japan, I had never tried duck ramen. So, I knew it was something …
The famous food scenes of larger Japanese cities like Tokyo and Osaka, along with Kyoto, often overshadow Nagoya cuisine. It’s understandable as these cities attract more tourists and have a stronger presence in international media. Despite having a population of over 2 million, numerous tourist attractions, and a diverse culinary scene influenced by foreign cuisines, …